Lepadogaster lepadogaster was separated in two subspecies (Brigg 1986): L. l. lepadogaster in the Mediterranean region only, and L. l. purpurea in the western Mediterranean and eastern Altantic. In 2002, Henriques et al. investigated the relationships between L. l. lepadogaster, L. l. purpurea and L. zebrina. They noted significant differences in microhabitat preferences and their breeding seasons between the two subspecies. They concluded that L. l. purpurea is a valid species, L. purpurea (Bonnaterre, 1788), different from L. l. lepadogaster, which is now designated L. lepadogaster (Bonnaterre, 1788). Lepadogaster zebrina was found to be a synonym of L. lepadogaster.

Justification:Lepadogaster lepadogaster lepadogaster is present throughout the northeast Mediterranean Sea. There is no specific population information for this species although it is abundant. It is listed as Least Concern.

This species (L. lepadogaster)is present in the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, including Italy and in the Black Sea. Its real distribution is unclear due to a recent revision of the genus. It is also found also in the Balearic Islands (Fischer et al. 2007).